Happy Halloween!

Hope everyone is looking forward to some Tricks and Treats tonight. I'll be giving out some treats. Hope I don't run out of candy.

I made the witch hat using the Petal Cone die. After cutting the cardstock I inked the Doily background stamp with VersaMark and stamped the hat. Then I embossed with clear powder. Band of the hat is Frightful designer paper.

I wish I still had some black Velcro dots, but I only had white. At any rate I used the Velcro to hold the hat closed, as I didn't want the hat to be ripped while getting the candy out. I'm so clever. LOL

We had frost last night. See my car's windows had ice on them. GOOD GRIEF...not ready for this!!!!!

Stamping Trails.....be careful out there tonight....and don't let any goblins get you!
Karen

Snowmen Ornaments

I had fun making these little ornaments yesterday. I got the idea from Becky Roberts. I changed them up just a bit. We will be making these at a upcoming stamp camp.
Colors used: Cajun Craze, Pear Pizzazz, Marina Mist, Whisper White. Basic Grey watercolor wonder crayon used for the shading. Markers used to color the rest.

(Sorry Kat....you may have to break down and buy the doily punch)

It was sunny yesterday even though it was colder. Only made it to 52, but I still got out and rode the bike around. Just had to bundle up a bit more. Not to bad in the sun, but it was a bit nippy in the shade!

Stamping Trails
Karen

Little Grinch

These little Grinch cello bags are just too stinking cute!!!! I cased the idea from another demo. You can see Beth's blog here

I used Wild Wasabi for the Grinch face, More Mustard eyes, Cherry Cobbler hat, and white for the trim.

Punches used: Curly Label, pennant, large scallop circle, 2 1/2 circle, owl builder, doily (i used the scrap the doily punch makes to use for the nose), little flower from the small punch pack. Stamp set used for word, Got Treats. Filled the bags with apple Jelly Bellys.

Best glue to use for the little pieces is Tombo Liquid glue. Mouth was free handed using black marker.

Stamping Trails
Karen

Punch Art Snowman

Well I liked the Santa Twizzle so much that I had to come up with a snowman. I was struggling with something white to put in the cello bag. I finally decided to use snow caps. Looks like he has "dirty" snowballs. LOL

Punches used: 2 1/2 and 1 3/4 circle for body and head. Modern Label for the scarf done in Marina Mist. Frostwood Lodge designer paper also punched with 2 1/2 circle for vest. I cut a V shape in the bottom of the designer paper circle to make it look like a vest. Eyes made using Owl punch. Hat is small oval and 1 1/4 circle punch. Buttons are from the button embosslet. Carrot nose was just free cut from pumpkin pie. Arms are from the snowflake punch.

Sorry this post is a bit late. Blogspot was giving me a hard time last night as it didn't want to upload the picture.

Stamping Trails
Karen

Santa Twizzles

Are these just too cute!!! I've been seeing them around on the web, not sure who came up with the idea first. Just had to make some of my own. This is one of the projects we will be making at my upcoming stamp camp. Tags till Christmas stamp set used, the rest is all punches.

I used bakers twine to attach the word.

I'm also not sure which I like better for the pom pom on his hat. I used the 1/2 circle punch with the glitter silver paper, and also used sparkle pom poms that I picked up at Hobby Lobby this week. I guess for the camp I'll use the glitter paper, but I really like the added texture of the sparkle pom pom.

Stamping Trails
Karen

Oh No! A House Fell on the Witch

This is not my design. I cased it. When I saw it I knew I had to make it for a special friend of mine.

I got Halloween cards! Kathy made the card using Gift Givers. Love it! Marianne made the jeepers creepers card. I really like how she locked the bakers twine together and used it to hang the cat charm. That designer paper is also great!

Here is the inside of the card. And Marianne I have to let you know you got me! I wasn't thinking she was going to put confetti in the card, but she did. So I got it all over me and the couch. LOL

Thanks for the wonderful Halloween cards girls!

Stamping Trails
Karen

Let me Explain

Come on St. Nick...let me explain....I meant to be good...really I did. LOL

I like the little deer on the stocking from Gift Givers stamp set. Before I get emails from my readers....I spelled DEER on the letter instead of Dear on purpose. Seeing how the deer is on the stocking. Just think of me as a little kid that has been bad and is trying to get back into Santa's good graces.

Base card Chocolate Chip. Pear Pizzazz layer that I used the Petal a Plenty embossing folder on. Stocking is Old Olive, deer was stamped again on Crumb Cake and popped on the stocking. Ric Rack trim from Tasteful Trim die. Red glitter paper on the stocking foot, toe, and ric rack trim, bakers twine and dotted Chocolate Chip ribbon. Letter was hand written on vanilla card stock.

It did rain yesterday morning, but by 2 o'clock the sun was out and it was warmer so I got in some more biking. Today is suppose to be nicer no rain and warmer. I'm happy about that. I spent a good part of yesterday cleaning. The house needed it and I was in the mood to clean.

Stamping Trails
Karen

Didn't Stamp Yesterday

Weather was so nice that I didn't even make it to the stamping studio. I went biking instead. Also did a bit more yard work. And.....I baked a cake around 7:30 pm. Was just feeling like baking.

I did want to share a picture to show you how my friend Connie wrapped my birthday gifts this year. Since my friends did a sewing theme for me she used "vintage" sewing pattens to wrap my gifts. The tags were "vintage" 1960! Thanks again Connie, I loved the packaging.

Well the two nice days of weather is over. Suppose to start raining again today. Break out the rubber boots and rain coats. YUCK!

Stamping Trails
Karen

Gift Givers Pillow Box

Just a quick share with you today. I used the pillow box die, and then made a tag for the top using Gift Givers. I thought the top of the tag where the word is was a bit bare for my liking, so I used a mask for the pumpkins and also a 3/4 circle for the moon and added some Not Quite Navy and Old Olive using a sponge. Tag was attached using twine. Frightful designer paper used for the pillow box.

We were outside a lot yesterday. The temps were in the mid 50's and it finally stopped raining. So we cleaned up the yard and worked on cleaning up the garden. Then we took a bike ride and went to Applebee's for dinner. Yes we rode the bikes to Applebee's as it's not far from our house. Suppose to be even warmer today in the 60's and again the skies will be dry. Very happy about that!!!

Stamping Trails
Karen

SUStars Blog Hop Holiday Hoopla

Welcome to the Holiday Hoopla blog hop. If you missed the other blogs you can start at the top by visiting the SUStars Blog

Or you may have arrived here from Shelly Peck

For my part of this Hoopla I made a card luminary. Base card is Not Quite Navy. I punched the upper side of the card with the 2 1/2 inch circle punch. On the inside of the card I attached a piece of vellum over the opening. Roof was made using strips of scallops from Tasteful Trim Big Shot die. Smaller scallop on the chimney was made using scallop boarder punch. Reindeer made using stocking punch. For the word Santa I typed it up on computer paper. I wanted it to appear that one of Santa's reindeer was getting worried about how long the "old gent" was taking to come back on the roof.

From the side view you can see the battery operated votive candle. Pictures don't do it justice. The card is really very pretty.

On the inside I layered a piece of vanilla cardstock and stamped "Christmas Greetings" from the Grateful Greetings stamp set, its centered to show through the vellum circle when the card is closed.

This is a very simple easel card using the scallop circle Big Shot die. To make the candy wreath I took one of the skinny cello bags and filled with little red and green candies, formed a circle with it and tied a bow on top. I stamped the pine cones from the Pines and Poinsettias stamp set on white cardstock, punched with 2 1/2 circle punch and attached the candy wreath to it using glue dots.

Hope you are enjoying your tour of the Holiday Hoopla Blog Hop. Next up is
Shari Dudek

Stamping Trails
Karen

Peppermint Punch Ornaments

So I'm a little ornament happy lately. Here is another one for you.

Base is 1 3/4 circle punch, and ran through Big Shot with petals a plenty embossing folder. Circle in the center is 3/4 circle punch. Wrapper made with 1/2 small scallop punch that was scored in the center of each scallop. Ornament assembled with pop dots.

Still raining in my neck of the woods. John states while walking out the door to work...."Mom we are going to need and Ark" Had to smile at that. Wish I could say it will stop soon but it is going to rain the rest of the week.

Stamping Trails
Karen

Lace Ribbon Punch Snowflake Ornament

I was at the library yesterday and found a craft magazine showing an ornament made with a border punch, so I thought I'd give it a try with the ribbon punch. Of course I didn't have pipe cleaners that hold the snowflake together. Sigh! So I had to risk life and limb to drive out to Pat Catan's to get some. I say that as it was raining cats and dogs yesterday. Lots of standing water along the sides of the roads. At any rate got the cleaners and made one.

Punch strips of the lace punch with white cardstock. You will need 7 strips at 4 1/2 inches long. Form the strips into circles. I used micro glue dots to hold the circles together, but Tombo Liquid glue would work. After making the circles take three of them and thread through a pipe cleaner. Then thread the remaining circles with two more cleaners. Refer to picture to see how the spokes of the snowflake will be when finished. I used Night of Navy to make the accents to center of the ornament using the snowflake punch, then added a rhinestone to center of each flake. Tie a string at the top to hang and there you have it.

Side view of the completed snowflake ornament.

More rain in our forecast for today. My son asked me last night..."is it ever going to stop raining mom?....Sure honey I replied.....in about a month when the rain turns into snow!!!!

Stamping Trails
Karen

Card Keeper Box

I finally had a chance to put together my card keeper box that I got from the Holiday mini. Love this box! Still have to cover the inserts, but I'll get to that later today. Originally my plan was to cover the entire box with designer paper. Well that changed after reading the directions. In order to cover the entire box you need 5 sheets of designer paper which I didn't have, and I really wanted to cover the box with Timeless Portrait paper. So I elected to cover only the lid of the box with Timeless Portrait.

Word of advise if you want to stamp on this box. While you can do it, the ink will never dry on its own. I used dye based River Rock on the tree from Forever Young stamp set. I could have just hit it with the heat tool to get it to dry but then I added some clear embossing powder to it. I'm happy I did. I stamped the tree again on Cherry Cobbler and punched out just the little girl on the swing with the triple heart punch. I small piece of designer paper was used for the label.

For the lid I used the scallop circle Big Shot die with black cardstock. Layered on that is circle from the designer paper, then I added a paper rosette. I found this clear knob in my "bling" stash and used that as a topper. Last thing I added was the black ribbon going around the sides of the lid.

Stamping Trails
Karen

Sharing Cards

This is the card I made to send for Halloween. Base card Cajun Craze, Frightful designer paper, black, Old Olive, and white. Image colored with markers and blender pen. Stamp sets, Festive Fun, and hat from Jack of all Trades. I stamped the hat on black with VersaMark and embossed it with clear embossing powder. On the Cajun layer I made the circles by using a clean pencil eraser. All you have to do it tap the eraser in VersaMark and then on the cardstock. Makes a great background!

Halloween card from Connie. Love that little "vamp" monkey!

Thank you card from Lisa. This is so bright and cheerful. The ribbon reminds me of the red and white checked curtains my mom had in her yellow kitchen years ago.

Challenge card also made by Lisa using the Just Beachy set. Great job Lisa!

This card was made by Kat. So simple, but very pretty. I love the embossed corners. Cool!

Stamping Trails
Karen

Day of Gratitdue Ornament

Couldn't help myself after yesterdays snowflake with this stamp set I had to go one step further and make an ornament. Large medallion was embossed with detail silver embossing powder on brushed silver cardstock circle. Added some rhinestone bling then popped the stamped layer onto a larger brushed silver circle. This one features a blue ribbon for the hanger, and blue/clear stones hanging from the bottom.

Closer look at the embossed circle. I'm getting a glare from the flash so this doesn't look as good as it does up close. All I can say is it is very pretty. I'm liking it!

Stamping Trails
Karen

Snowflake

Show of hands...how many looked at Day of Gratitude and saw only a Thanksgiving day stamp set? For some reason with the large medallion in this set I saw a snowflake. I stamped it with VersaMark on glossy cardstock then embossed it with the pewter embossing powder from the holiday mini. Next I sponged it with Bashful Blue. Its layered on Night of Navy, and Marina Mist cardstock. Merry Christmas stamp from Come to Bethlehem, and I also used the lace ribbon punch with Marina Mist cardstock, and white with the snowflake punch.

It was so windy yesterday. Wind banged against the back of the house all day. Suppose to be warmer today, but I'm no holding my breath. I finally packed up the summer clothes and broke out the winter ones. I hate to admit summer is over, but I know it is.

Stamping Trails
Karen

Day of Gratitude Cards

I love Day of Gratitude stamp set! I wish I had bought this great set. I'm going to have to add it to the wish list. First card uses Old Olive, Cajun Craze, More Mustard, and vanilla cardstock. I stamped the flower sprigs four times stem to stem then added the Cajun Craze flower that was punched using the Boho punch. Pearl, trim, and word finish off the card.

Upon first look you may not think to use this Thanksgiving stamp set with Pretty in Pink or Baja Breeze, but here it is. Love the bright colors. I used emboss resist technique. Inked stamp with Chocolate Chip craft ink on glossy paper, then embossed with clear powder. Used sponge daubers to add the color. Designer paper Beau Chateau. I'm loving that paper!

Stamping Trails
Karen

Fall Leaves

So me and hubby went for a drive yesterday to take in the Fall colors. Of course did either one of us remember to bring the camera? Nope no camera. I came home with all those colors still fresh in my mind and put together this card.

Colors used: Rich Razzleberry, Peach Parfait, Chocolate Chip, Pear Pizzazz, and Sahara Sand. Other things used, Day of Gratitude, Medallion background, doily punch, designer paper, and embossing folder.

Skip is working day shift today as the kids have the day off. I don't remember having all these days off when I was going to school. Heck I remember trudging through snow that was over my knees. No bus for me I walked over a mile to get to my high school. OMG it has happened! I've turned into an old person regaling "I remember when I was in school" stories. Shoot me now. "SIGH"

Stamping Trails
Karen

Glitter Paper

I "cased" this card from a great stamper Sharon Field. I love how she used lots of layers and the glitter sliver paper from the Holiday Mini. I had to dig deep in my paper stash but I was able to come up with some brushed gold cardstock for the last layer. I think I'll need to add that to my "list" of supplies I'll have to order. I don't used brushed gold very often, and it makes it just all the more special when I do get a chance to use it on a card.

Since it rained most of the day I got to hide out in the stamping studio and work on some cards that I needed to finish. Me and John also took a run into Medina and visited grandma Kate for a few hours. Always great to visit grandma Kate! That's what the kids always said when we would visit her.

Suppose to rain again today so I'm sure I'll get some more projects finished today.

Stamping Trails
Karen

Simply Scored Witch

I used my new Simply Scored tool from SU to make the witch skirt. All you need is a piece of designer paper cut 3 1/2 x 1 1/2, then score every 1/8 inch. I did use the eyelet border punch along one long edge before I scored. After that I pleated the skirt using the score lines and held the pleats together at the top using a strip of sticky strip. Stamp set used Wicked Cool. Other things used: Doily background, VersaMark, white embossing powder, two tags die, tab rounder punch, brads, ribbon, Peach Parfait, Black, Daffodil Delight cardstock.

Still fighting off this cold. My son John got back from his vacation. Sounds like he had a good time. I'm just happy he is home. I must say I don't sleep very well when he is gone. I know I sound like a mother hen. Guess that won't change till he is moved out and on his own. I just have this thing about people living in a home should be there at night to sleep, and if they are not I worry.

Stamping Trails
Karen

Jack of all Trades Mummy

I was playing around last night with the large pumpkin from Jack of all Trades stamp set. Since I'm fighting off a cold I laid on the couch yesterday afternoon and watched The Mummy. One of my favorite movies, and since I had the mummy fresh in my mind I turned the pumpkin into one. I had picked up a package of orange buttons and Pat Catan's earlier in the summer as I knew I could use them on Halloween and Fall cards.

Note to Kat....since you shared buttons with me while you were here in May I'm splitting this package of orange ones with you.

This is the first mantis I've seen all season and she was sitting on top of the screen to our kitchen door. Skip said they are like crickets in the Fall they change to a brown color. I'm not sure that is true as I think the mantis changes color based on where it is at in order to blend in. So on green grass it would be green, on twigs or dead leaves? Would be brown. I also looked up if it was against the law to kill a mantis in some states. Just a tale that got started sometime in the 1950's. Not against the law, but since they are so helpful to control bad bugs I hope no one would ever kill one. I think they are cool looking. Although I feel bad for the males, they lose there head during mating. GROSS!

Stamping Trails
Karen

One of these things Doesn't Belong Here... One of these things isn't the Same

I couldn't help but to sing that Sesame Street song "One of these things doesn't belong here". Click on the picture to get a close look at the little spider that crawled into my stamp case during stamp camp on Saturday. When I was putting the ornament stamp back I saw him, and I closed the lid really quick!

I made this card using a set from the holiday mini Comfort and Joy. I actually CASED the card from the mini on page 31. I'm going to make some more cards soon with this set. I think it will be perfect with embossing powder.

Stamping Trails
Karen

Sacks

I wanted the "Campers" to have something to put there cards in so I made these little gift sacks from lunch bags. I folded down the top two times, then used Musical Notes wheel and rolled it across. Added the ornament punch twine bow, and word from Four the Holidays.

Stamping Trails
Karen

Gift Bags

Made some gift bags to hold some of the projects we will be stamping today at camp. After camp is over I'll be doing a drawing to see who will win these.
This one uses Pennant die, Snow Much Fun, Lace Ribbon punch, and Snowflake punch.

I punched the ornament punch from a scrap of cardstock and used it for a stencil to sponge on the color for this bag. See where I have the rhinestones? Sure it looks like they belong there and it was part of my plan....well guess what? It wasn't. I wasn't too clean and got some ink spots where I didn't want them so I covered them up with the stones. I like it!

Stamping Trails
Karen

Ornament Punch Card

This is the last card we will be making at the stamp camp tomorrow. Very simple, but pretty. Used the ornament punch on the white layer, then layered a piece of Holly Berry Bouquet designer paper under it before mounting to Chocolate Chip base card. Added the greeting from Four the Holidays stamp set, and bakers twine bow.

Inside I added another layer of white and stamped ornament from Tags till Christmas in Real Red.

Another great weather day! I'll be heading over to mom-in-law Kate's house this afternoon. We have a lunch date. I also need another card table for the camp tomorrow so I'm going to borrow one from her.

Stamping Trails
Karen

Dasher on White

I have always liked the look of white on white, and this Dasher card is no exception!
Card has one layer of Petals of Plenty (embossing folder), also uses snowflake punch, and modern label punch. Word from Come to Bethlehem. Dasher inked with Early Espresso. Red nose is a half pearl that was colored with a red sharpie marker. The oval that Dasher is stamped on from the ovals big shot die.

My son is traveling today with a group of friends to North Carolina. They rented a beach house for the week. I'm sure they will all have fun. Wishing I could tag along! But I can't complain as the weather here has been beautiful. Suppose to be in the 70's again today so I'll be hitting the bike path.

Stamping Trails
Karen

Snowmen Nugget Holders

I'm making these cute little nugget holders to give out at my stamp camp this weekend. I love, love, love how the small scallop punch layers over the scallop tag from the Two Tags die. Very cool! I used Snow Much Fun stamp set, and colored with markers. See how sparkly the scallop layer is? I used the silver glitter paper from the Holiday mini. Now don't you just wish you were coming to my stamp camp on Saturday so you could get one of these?

It was so nice yesterday. The weatherman did deliver! No rain, and not a cloud in the sky. I got to ride my bike. Temp got up to 65, and great news! Its suppose to be nice the rest of the week, so I'll be planning to ride my bike each day as I know the good weather won't last long.

Stamping Trails
Karen

WET

What I really needed yesterday was a row boat. It poured all day, and of course I had to be out driving in it. My nephew Corbet needed a ride to work so that was 30 minutes to his house then another 20 minutes to get him to work. Not that I mind doing that for him, but I think a row boat would have been better. I hit a pool of standing water while I was in the curb lane and water just shot up and over the hood and roof of the car. Guess I should have been watching for that. Then I went to the grocery store, and Pat Catan's, and Hollo's, oh and the bank. Thankfully its suppose to be dry for the rest of the week, and warmer. Here is hoping!

Christmas Collage background stamp used on the base card inked with Early Espresso and stamped on Crumb Cake. Word from Grateful Greetings, large scallop punch, and 2 1/2 circle punch.

Sarah and John got me a rice cooker for my birthday. I tried it out. Works great. It even has a setting for brown rice. Since that is the only kind of rice I eat Sarah said she had to find me a cooker with that setting option. It also is a steamer. Lots of things it can be used for. She also got me a Barbie for my collection.

Stamping Trails
Karen